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Thursday, May 14, 2015

Come, Labor On

Grace Episcopal Church
Sheboygan, Wisconsin

Grace Notes
14 May 2015

Today is the Feast of the Ascension, when we commemorate Jesus’ ascent into heaven, there to reign (Acts 1.6-11).  In the first chapter of Acts, St. Luke first recalls that in the first book he wrote (his gospel) the story of Jesus was recited, leading up to His resurrection.  Now he focuses on what comes next for the Church, and the scene is set with Jesus instructing His disciples to remain in Jerusalem until the Holy Spirit comes upon them.  This descent of the Holy Spirit, which happens at Pentecost, and is described in chapter 2 of Acts, is understood to be the “birthday of the Church”.  Which means that this period, now, the time from Ascension to Pentecost, is when the the labor process is underway!
When we recall that Jesus Christ is the great physician of souls, and that the Church is the midwife of new life in God, we can then better recognize that new birth, new life, is new life in the Spirit—it is new life by virtue of Pentecost.  But what happens during labor?  Labor is attended by pain, anticipation, some fear, longing for delivery, much prayer.  It is attended by the faith that new life is possible and is willed by God.
“How far apart are the contractions?”  That’s a question every woman in labor hears.  The frequency and intensity of contractions signal how advanced the labor process is.  Birth is, of course, a very human and intimate (and miraculous!) thing, and as such it is messy.  The miracle of new life is a thing of beauty, but no one would claim it is “pretty”.  We can’t sanitize birth.  We can’t sanitize the birth of a child, and we can’t sanitize the birth of new life in the Holy Spirit.  Labor pains are involved.  Matters which are human and intimate are involved.  Just as a woman cannot be “a little bit” pregnant the Church cannot be just a little bit involved in the birth of new life in the Spirit.  We must be prepared and willing to be intimate in the ways a midwife is intimate with a woman giving birth.  We must be involved in the breathing, in the pushing, that we can take joy in the birth, in the cry of new life, in the warm, moist and vulnerable being which comes forth as a new child of God.
Let this Asceniontide be a time when we may all remember that ministry is personal, it is intimate, it is risky, it involves travail.  It is not about programs, but about people, and people are warm, moist and vulnerable.  When we recognize our own vulnerabilities and offer them to God, He equips us as the Church to be the midwife, breathing, coaching, celebrating.  So, how far apart are the contractions?

Grace abounds:  Please thank:
§  Bill and Deb Gagin, and the Crouse family for the Sunday coffee hours.
§  Mary Massey for providing Mother’s Day flowers at the coffee hours.
§  Bill Gagin for work on the floor refinishing project.
§  Ben Dobey for extensive gardening in the columbarium courtyard.

Podcasts!   Podcasts are found on the website under “Media”.  You can also subscribe on ITunes or with RSS full feed at:


Call for ContributionsIf you have a spiritual reflection to share, or want to point your fellow worshippers toward a resource, submit your contributions to Fr. Karl (by email) by Wednesday in the week of publication.

Could be from Proverbs:  "Life is hard by the yard; But by the inch, life's a cinch!”  Sounds like the Parish Floor Project.  (B. Gagin)

Memorial DayUpdate on Memorial Day plans for Veterans in Columbarium:  Using obituaries, I have identified 8 veterans in our columbarium.  I have varying amounts of information on each, but would like to be able to post a paper listing  which branch of the service, years they served, what type of unit they were in, and perhaps place they served if they were in a war.  If you have a veteran loved one who is in our columbarium and can provide any information please let me know.   (Mary Clabots)

What if?  (Thoughts about ministry expansion—N. Whitford)

What if we had 10 unaffiliated people per week checking in to see what we and our church are all about?
What if it were really simple and non-threatening to increase that number to 100?
What if it took just a little bit of trying to get that number up to 1000?
What kinds of things would happen if we knew there were 1000 people every week curious to know what it's like to go to church at Grace?
What if a ministry that is useful for in-reach could be a successful outreach ministry as well?
What if that ministry was simply a projection of the things we have always done, and intend to always do?
What happens if we take one of our strengths, and unique qualities (as Anglicans), like the daily office, and share that with the people around us?
What if some of those people thought that it would be worth their while to donate to the church as a charity, for their participation?
What if those donations could grow into a self-sustaining ministry?
What if the research shows that the generation known as the Millennials are hungry for tradition, are finding liturgy very useful in developing their faith, and searching for worship homes that allow for the immensity of God, as well as the quiet of God?
What if we are in a position, by happenstance or intelligence (God's, not ours) that makes us a perfect landing pad for Millennials, and others looking for a church home?
What if we had the tools to reach out into the community, county, state, nation, and world with the same effort across the board?
What if we had a focused goal, in ministry, as a church to bring the word of God to the world?
What if that goal didn't require sacrificing who we are, but instead reinforces who we are?
What if we are being called to do this?
What if...

Music this week:  The Seventh Sunday of Easter (The Sunday after Ascension Day)

Prelude                           Two Chorale Preludes on Blessed Jesus, at thy word                 J. S. Bach
Entrance Hymn #215   “See the conqueror mounts in triumph”                                   In Babilone
Offertory Hymn #307  “Lord, enthroned in heavenly splendor”                              Bryn Calfaria
Communion Motet        If ye love me                                                                        Thomas Tallis                        
If ye love me, keep my commandments,
and I will pray the Father,
and he shall give you another Comforter,
That he may abide with you forever;
even the Spirit of Truth.

Comm. Hymn 655     “O Jesus, I have promised”                                                                Nyland
Closing Hymn #473   “Lift high the Cross”                                                                        Crucifer
Postlude                      Trumpet Tune in C                                                            David N. Johnson                        
Parish Notices

§  Grace Church will celebrate on Ascension Day with both a 9:00am service in the Chapel and Ascension Day Solemn Eucharist on Thursday, May 14th at 6:00pm.
§  Bishop’s Visitation: Today, May 17th we welcome The Rt. Rev. Matthew A. Gunter and his lovely wife Mrs. Leslie Gunter for their first visitation. The Bishop will preach and celebrate at both 8 and 10:15 services. We will have a First Communions celebration at 8:00am. We will celebrate the Sacrament of Confirmation with Reception and Renewal of Baptismal Vows at the 10:15 am service. Please join us for a gala reception to welcome Bishop Gunter and honor the Confirmed.

§  Nashotah commencement: Fr. Karl will be attending The Rev. Steven Peay’s installation as Dean of Nashotah House and will also be attending the Commencement of the class of 2015. He will be out of the office Tuesday, May19 and Wednesday, May 20. There will be no mass on either of those days.

§  Adult Formation: we will conclude the a six week course on the nuts-and bolts of the Old Testament May 24th at 9 a.m. in the fellowship hall, and will be facilitated by Fr. Karl.

§  Follow Grace Church on Twitter: @GEC_Sheboygan
§  We Are on Itunes! Check out the new podcast!!!

§  Summer Camp: Diocese of Fond du Lac Summer Camp is for kids age 4 through graduating 12th graders. Camp is an opportunity for campers and staff to learn more about God, about community, about themselves and have fun! If you have questions about what camp is like please call Michele at the office.  Scholarships are available.
o   Senior Camp (completed grades 9-12) June 14 (Sun 3pm) – June 20 (Sat 12noon)
o   Middler Camp (completed grades 6-8) June 21 (Sun 3pm) – June 25 (Thu 5pm)
o   Junior Camp (completed grades 2-5) June 21 (Sun 3pm) – June 25 (Thu 5pm)
o   KinderCamp (parent & kids ages 4-7) June 25 (Thu 2pm) – June 27 (Sat 12noon) There are application forms on the Narthex table.

§  Dinner and a Movie: Great Marriages is sponsoring a movie date night, dinner is included. The Song was named "Best Christian Movie" by the Plugged In Movie Awards. A long-struggling musician (Alan Powell) finally hits the big time with a love song he wrote for his wife, but sudden fame and temptation cause his life and marriage to crumble. Friday, May 29th, from 6:30pm-9:00pm at Great Marriages, 612 Center Ave, Sheboygan. The cost is $10/couple; $5/individual. Please register on line at www.great-marriages.org; EVENTS page.




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